Now that the leaves have turned golden and the tan lines of our festival wristbands have faded, it is time to admit that summer is over. But we at Rockstone are not ready to enter the dark and cold days of fall. So we dug up three of our favorite summer movies, all with a killer soundtrack that will take you back to the days you were sipping beer in front of your tent at eleven in the morning.

 

The Big Easy Express

Have you ever taken an Amtrak train through the United States? Do you remember the wide-open spaces, the bustling of people, and the importance of your on-route soundtrack? If the answer is yes, Big Easy Express will leave you nostalgic, but if you’re not part of this lucky group, you will have another trip to add to your wish list after seeing this documentary. Inspired by the film Festival Express, featuring all-time classics such as The Band, The Grateful Dead, and Janis Joplin, touring through Canada by train in 1970, Emmett Malloy recreated the romance of music and traveling by putting modern day folk stars onto a train. Mumford and Sons, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and Old Crow Medicine Show travel from Oakland to New Orleans, leaving the train on six occasions to play a show directly next to the railway. Malloy, who also produced the beautiful documentary Under Great White Northern Lights centered around the White Stripes, again proves he knows how to film music. Big Easy Express sure is one of my feel good movies, and makes me want to learn how to play the banjo every time I see it.

Adventure Land

There comes a point in life where you have no idea what you’re doing. You’ve got your college degree, your friends, and your music – the rest is one big question mark. Adventure Land is exactly that. It features Jesse Eisenberg as a college graduate who’s plans for the summer fall through. Instead of visiting Europe, he is stuck working at an amusement park for the summer. Luckily, there is Kristen’s Stewarts character, Emily, who provides the silver lining in what would have been a lousy summer. Adventure Land is funny, charming and has a killer soundtrack. Set in the 1980s, it will remind you of the amazingness of eighties superstars (Bowie anyone?) and will have you laughing every time you hear Falco’s ‘Rock Me Amadeus’.

From Austin To Boston

We trade Amtrak for Volkswagen as we follow four bands during their two-week tour through the United States. It is during the filming of From Austin to Boston that Bear’s Den was formed, in the back of one of the five classic VW camper vans. Together with Ben Howard, Nathaniel Rateliff and The Staves they spent 3,000 miles on the road, playing music everywhere. No fancy tour busses or hotels, but beaten down cars and remote campgrounds. Director Marcus Haney’s gorgeous cinematic style makes car trouble look like a good time and not showering like something romantic. The documentary combines the idea of old school travel with young musical talent. Next to making me want to learn how to play banjo, this movie constantly reminds me of how badly I need to get a driver’s license. Oh – and a VW camper van.

 

These movies are guaranteed to keep you into the summer vibe for a couple more hours. Now we can start thinking about hot chocolate, big sweaters and of course fall/winter soundtracks!